Sheriff’s Office alleges Oroville man made criminal threats, participated in criminal gang
OROVILLE » A 24-year- old man has been arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats and participating in a criminal street gang, in addition to a number of other charges.
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office arrested Nelson Thao, 24, of Oroville, on the afternoon of Dec. 29 stemming from an incident the previous evening, the BCSO said in a press release.
Multiple people contacted deputies and detectives on the night of Dec. 28 alleging that Thao made criminal threats toward their family members. After detec t ives spoke with family members and reviewed evidence related to the allegations, they obtained an arrest warrant for Thao. Additionally, BCSO deputies and Oroville Police Department officers took “immediate action to ensure” the family members were safe.
Detectives located Thao the following day in the Oroville area and arrested him. Detectives learned Thao had been living at a residence in the 300 block of Canyon Highlands Drive, and obtained a search warrant for the address after arresting Thao.
The Sheriff’s Office and Oroville Police Department served the search warrant later that day. According to the release, detectives said they found a stolen handgun and ammunition during the search, in addition to additional evidence indicating Thao “threatened to use gang violence” against the people who contacted the Sheriff’s Office and their family members.
Thao was booked in the Butte County Jail on suspicion of criminal threats, being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of stolen property, and for participating in a criminal street gang. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 3 p.m. Jan. 4 in the Butte County Superior Court. Thao’s bail was set at $750,000.
The Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with additional information on the investigation to contact detectives at 530-538-7671.